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A Systematic Framework for Prioritizing Burden of Disease Data Required for Vaccine Development and Implementation: The Case for Group A Streptococcal DiseasesVaccine development and implementation decisions need to be guided by accurate and robust burden of disease data. We developed an innovative systematic framework outlining the properties of such data that are needed to advance vaccine development and evaluation, and prioritize research and surveillance activities.
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A phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study to evaluate the interchangeability of V114, a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and PCV13 with respect to safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity in healthy infants (PNEU-DIRECTION)Pneumococcal disease (PD) remains a major health concern globally. In children, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) provide protection against PD from most vaccine serotypes, but non-vaccine serotypes contribute to residual disease. V114 is a 15-valent PCV containing all 13 serotypes in Prevnar 13™ and public health important serotypes 22F and 33F. This phase 3 study evaluated safety and immunogenicity of mixed PCV13/V114 regimens using a 3 + 1 dosing schedule when changing from PCV13 to V114 at doses 2, 3, or 4.
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The Interseasonal Resurgence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Australian Children Following the Reduction of Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related PublicFollowing the end of winter, there has been a persistent absence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 community transmission and no increase in influenza detections. Limited physical distancing measures have remained in place, with largely no restrictions on gathering sizes and no mandate for wearing masks.
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Novel method to select meaningful outcomes for evaluation in clinical trialsA standardised framework for selecting outcomes for evaluation in trials has been proposed by the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials working group. However, this method does not specify how to ensure that the outcomes that are selected are causally related to the disease and the health intervention being studied. Causal network diagrams may help researchers identify outcomes that are both clinically meaningful and likely to be causally dependent on the intervention, and endpoints that are, in turn, causally dependent on those outcomes.
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Invasive group B streptococcal infections in Western Australia, 2000–2018Neonatal and puerperal sepsis are major manifestations of invasive group B streptococcal (Streptococcus agalactiae; iGBS) infections. International data indicate the importance of iGBS infections among non-pregnant adults.
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Acceptability and Implementation Challenges of Benzathine Penicillin G Secondary Prophylaxis for Rheumatic Heart Disease in Ethiopia: A Qualitative StudyMonthly intramuscular injections of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) remain the cornerstone of secondary prophylaxis for acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The barriers to successful delivery of BPG may be patient- or service-delivery-dependent.
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Antibody responses against influenza A decline with successive years of annual influenza vaccinationInfluenza vaccine effectiveness and immunogenicity can be compromised with repeated vaccination. We assessed immunological markers in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCW) from six public hospitals around Australia during 2020-2021.
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Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous meropenem as an alternative to intravenous administrationSubcutaneous delivery of antibiotics is a practical alternative to IV administration. Meropenem is commonly used to treat infections caused by resistant Gram-negative organisms.
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Socio-economic inequality underpins inequity in influenza vaccination uptake between public and private secondary schools: an Australian population-based studySocio-economic inequality and vaccination inequity have long been critical issues. However, no studies have explored the gap in influenza vaccination uptake between public and private schools. Importantly, the extent to which socio-economic inequality translates into vaccination uptake inequity has not been quantified.
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High dose, subcutaneous injections of benzathine penicillin G (SCIP) to prevent rheumatic fever: A single arm, phase IIa trial of safety and pharmacokineticsThis Phase-IIa trial evaluates the safety and pharmacokinetics of high-dose, 10 weekly subcutaneous injections of penicillin (SCIP) in young people with a history of acute rheumatic fever (ARF).